The diagnosis of MVT should be suspected when acute abdominal symptoms develop in patients with prior thrombotic episodes or a documented coagulopathy. CT scanning appears to be the primary diagnostic test of choice. Anticoagulation is recommended. If diagnosed and treated early, MVT is not likely to progress to gangrenous bowel. Recent mortality rates for MVT are lower than previously published, perhaps because of earlier diagnosis and aggressive treatment or possibly because we now readily diagnose a more benign form of the disease, which is due to widespread use of CT scanning.

No abstract

Enlargement of excluded PAA after surgical treatment can cause compressive symptoms. Exclusion requires adequate vascular isolation to prevent late PAA enlargement, with proximal and distal arterial ligation best performed adjacent to the aneurysm. Vein graft enlargement occurs, but this enlargement does not adversely influence patency.

Penetrating injuries to the internal carotid artery in zone III of the neck can be a significant challenge to the operating surgeon. Direct surgical exposure and repair of the internal carotid artery at the skull base can be extremely difficult, and surgical options for treatment of a pseudoaneurysm at this location are limited. We present a case of an 18-year-old man who sustained a single gunshot wound to the distal cervical internal carotid artery that led to a pseudoaneurysm managed with endovascular exclusion. Recent literature on the surgical and endovascular management of distal carotid injuries is reviewed.

Bedside insertion of an IVC filter with IVUS guidance is feasible and may be an effective alternative in the intensive care unit. No additional costs were incurred in this small series. Protocol refinements should reduce the incidence of complications. The results of this study support the need for further evaluation comparing it with standard techniques.